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Skilled Trades

Biofuels Processing Technicians

Calculate, measure, load, mix, and process refined feedstock with additives in fermentation or reaction process vessels and monitor production process. Perform, and keep records of, plant maintenance, repairs, and safety inspections.

Median salary (BLS)

$62,470

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$41k – $95k

Job outlook

+2% (about average)

AI exposure

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Biofuels Processing Technicians" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Biofuels Processing Technicians

    Entry / Junior

    $40,700

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Biofuels Processing Technicians

    Established

    $62,470

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Biofuels Processing Technicians

    Senior

    $78,515

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Monitor batch, continuous flow, or hybrid biofuels production processes.
  • •Operate valves, pumps, engines, or generators to control and adjust biofuels production.
  • •Monitor and record biofuels processing data.
  • •Collect biofuels samples and perform routine laboratory tests or analyses to assess biofuels quality.
  • •Operate equipment, such as a centrifuge, to extract biofuels products and secondary by-products or reusable fractions.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.